COLLIDE WITH THE HANDSOME DEMON

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st a few months ago, I celebrated my 18th birthday with my parents and my best friend. A month ago, when I wa

mixed emotions. In a panic, I shuffled my desk and quickly grabbed the books and pencils I needed. Then I checked myself in the mirror, hoping my

de my way to the kitchen counter, where

heard my mom's warm reply, but sh

irbrushed my face as I made my way down the stairs to where my best friend, Darren, was waiti

greeted me,

g," I smiled

e asked as we opened the gate

hear college is a lot more relaxed than high schoo

true," he agre

ow, so you should know," I said as I bumpe

gh a little nervous, we both felt that this was a new beginning,

ew friends. I'm not a very social person

friendly smile. "But don't worry, you'll

hesitation. I prayed that my awkwardness wo

er and accepted me for who I am, even when my parents were initially worried that our friendship would interfere with my social life. But they couldn't resist his good-natured charm either, and eventually, they grew to like him. Sometimes I feel like my mom is still hoping deep d

ationships, which he often called "innocent crazy". It wasn't a lack of interest or confusion when it came to relationships, but at my school, non

. "You're smart, you're beautiful, you'll be fine." I just shook

ried to look

plemented by some jewelry and a little bit of makeup

I don't want people to th

sponded with a punch in his arm. "Well, not all

know that," I glared at

round the two of us, and I caught a glimpse

st?" he asked, and I looked

the class clearly on my ph

choose to tak

al class," I

nt years there," he gave me a look. Then he looked at hi

fine. See you

nd started walking down one o

should have asked Darren for directions before he left. As I tried to look for signs or clues, I wandered aimlessly. Howev

k up the fallen book and swept it a few

tanding in front of me. The man may not have been very tall, but he had charm with his blo

held out the book, and the

oked at his book. "Are you a fr

ou get

ghed, feeling a little awkward. "Yes.

for?" I quickly pulled out my

ttle off," he grin

to drop

anything." I raised my hand and off

free time now

stranger, but I couldn't be sure I wouldn't get lost again. Even though I di

s very

to lead me to one of the

Rayline." I took hi

nd and shook it as we both continued walking together

It was a relief for me to talk to someone who didn't know me at all. There was no o

." He turned

a lot,

and shook his he

ting on the grass, his back leaning against a tree. He was holding a small notebook and seemingly drawing. He was very attractive. He was dressed all in black, with his earrings dangling

las said, trying to

rned to him and h

a sophomore." I nodded

d, trying not to sou

, he's pretty quiet. He has a couple of friends, but it is rare to see him han

I asked

e can get a whole line of them, but he turns them all down," he seemed to be able to read my

dark eyes locked sharply with mine, and I felt something strange in tho

hair out of my face. "I was just wondering—" And he

we'll meet ag

e so, and th

past me and left the